Question

Suppose the body temperatures in the population of all healthy adults follow a normal distribution with a mean of 98.6 degrees F and a standard deviation of 0.7 degrees F. Would it be unusual for a healthy adult to have a temperature of 100.5 degrees F?

A. Yes. B. No.
C. I have no idea. D. None of the above.

Answer 1

A value can be considered unusual if it is more than 2 standard deviations from mean.

Mean = 98.6 degrees F

Standard deviation = 0.7 degrees F

A value can be considered unusually high if it is above 98.6 + 2x0.7 = 100 degrees F

Therefore, 100.5 degrees F is an unusual temperature.

Ans: A. Yes